By Aggrey Baba
A child is the lamp that lights up a home, yet for many Ugandan couples, the dream of parenthood remains out of reach due to infertility.
While science has advanced to offer solutions such as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), the prohibitive costs in private fertility clinics have placed these services beyond the reach of many.
Nearly 20 private fertility centers operate in Kampala, providing hope for couples struggling with infertility. However, these facilities charge between Ugx 14 million and Ugx 15 million per IVF cycle, a cost many Ugandans cannot afford.
Facility owners attribute the high fees to heavy government taxes on assisted reproduction medications.
Health advocates argue that infertility is a silent reproductive health issue affecting countless families, calling on government to set price ceilings on fertility treatments to prevent families from falling into financial ruin while seeking medical help.
Surrogacy, another avenue for childless couples, has also raised concerns. Without clear regulations, surrogate mothers are often left vulnerable to exploitation, with advocates noting that parliament has been discussing a law on surrogacy and assisted reproduction, but it is high time this law is expedited to ensure affordability and quality while preventing exploitation.
According to the Ministry of Health, 10-15% of Ugandan couples struggle with infertility, often due to infections and other medical conditions. Despite this, government investment in fertility services remains minimal.
A policy advisor at Ipas Africa Alliance, criticizes this neglect, stating, “At Mulago, where the government offers little in terms of IVF services, couples are left with no choice but to turn to expensive private hospitals.”
Recognizing the urgency of the matter, Parliament recently gave the government a two-week deadline to refine the Human Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill, 2025.
The Bill, sponsored by Tororo District Woman MP Sarah Opendi, seeks to regulate assisted reproduction by designating the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council as the overseeing body.
Key provisions in the Bill include accreditation of fertility centers, the establishment of gamete and embryo banks, and the regulation of embryo donation and storage. It also seeks to protect the rights of children born through assisted reproduction and set up a national registry for fertility treatments.
With Parliament pressing for action, all eyes are now on the government to harmonize its position and ensure that fertility services in Uganda are both accessible and affordable. After all, an African proverb goes that a child is what makes a house a home. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
